by William Falcone

Created on: February 25, 2010   Last Updated: February 26, 2010

Is the United States a democracy? Or is it a republic? Most would agree with the republic model as it is a government of representatives who are elected to pass laws and legislation. The government responds to outside threats (real or perceived) and takes action as deemed appropriate. Again it isn't a democratic or popular vote that makes these decisions. It is two branches of government-the executive and congressional. By definition a representative Republic. Some would argue democratic in substance but republican in reality.

That is what is intended. However, one may argue that what is the reality is an all encompassing corporatism. Corporations, in fact, determine public policy and foreign affairs. Let us begin with the media. The media mogul, Rupert Murdoch, controls much of the airways on radio (Fox News.) Many have argued that the media is liberal. But is it really? If Murdoch controls the most watched cable news network on TV-then how liberal is it? Also take heed that traditional network news has done a pretty good job through the years reporting the news. They have been deemed "liberal" since much of the news does not portray corporations in a positive light. At least that was the tradition in the past.

In response to the "bad corporate news" as reported by the mainstream networks came a phenomenon the late 1980s and 1990s (right wing talk radio.) Rush Limbaugh and his ilk have dominated the AM dial for decades.  TV soon followed with Fox NEWS.This media phenomenon was financed and promoted by Corporate America. The philosophy was to create the idea of "fair and balanced" reporting-as a counter-point of what had been viewed for decades on traditional network news.   This idea was a smashing success for the corporations. Do Rush or Glen Beck ever report anything negative about corporations?  Or are they a mere mouthpiece for corporate executives and the super rich?

So what has occurred is a corporate takeover of the media to promote a corporate agenda. If a conservative government (such as Bush/Cheney) is in power a corporate controlled media will do much to cheer on their policy. Does anyone remember any criticism when Bush began his march towards war against Iraq ? Does anyone remember anything other than former generals on FOX and CNN promoting the ill fated attempt of nation building? What was the Iraq debacle all about ? Pure, unadulterated corporatism. The Cheneys and Halliburtons of the world were chomping at the bits not just for Iraqs oil, but it could be argued, corporate contracts of any kind. It takes a massive privatized undertaking to rebuild a country after it has been blown to smithereens.

Eisenhower warned , during his farewell address, of a military/industrial complex. Isn't it fairly obvious that this complex is now deeply entrenched. If a nation is propagandized by right wing news, as promulgated by FOX and the various demagogues on Clear Channel, then it is ripe for a corporatism that dictates policy. A corporate policy that has the muscle of the U.S Military to promote its agenda.Can anyone question the power that corporate lobbyists have over our Congress? Both parties are dependent on corporate contributions. In this big money game of electoral politics only the super funded stand a chance of victory. Democrats are also guilty as they  have to play the same game to compete. If both parties are controlled by corporations then what is the actual form of government? Is it a Democracy  Republic? Or is it a corporatocry? The evidence appears to point directly towards the latter.

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